IS claims it carried out Istanbul attack

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the Turkey Nightclub terror attack.

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the Turkey Nightclub terror attack. (AAP)

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a gun attack on an Istanbul nightclub which killed 39 people on Sunday, the group said in a statement.

"In continuation of the blessed operations that Islamic State is conducting against the protector of the cross, Turkey, a heroic soldier of the caliphate struck one of the most famous nightclubs where the Christians celebrate their apostate holiday," the statement said.